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From local blog host, GadRockLive, here's a new article about the new Apple iPad!

Apple Computer's New iPad

OK… I’m in tech-lust again! Apple Computer has a way of doing that to me!

Today, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs presents the new Apple Tablet, named the iPad to millions of Apple-fans eagerly anticipating the new netbook killer from their favorite computer company.

The new iPad is a 9-inch color screen one-pound light powerhouse of a computer, e-book reader, app runner that is not, I repeat not an iPhone or iPod touch! It has some similarities, of course.

The new iPad runs MacOS, has iPhone-like apps, an icon-based “desktop” similar to the iPhone. But, the new tablet computer is mouse-free and keyboard-free computing (although there is a keyboard dock available). Notice I said it is computing.

The iPad works just like an iPhone does, but it actually allows for application computing… spreadsheets, word processing, and more…. it moves the Mac into becoming a computer appliance.

Notice, however some great lessons from Apple’s announcement today.

Just as with the iPod, iPhone, iMac, iBook, and any other new product (except for maybe the Apple Newton), Apple has been patient. The market has clamored for each of these new products, from portable (laptop) computing to an mp3 player (iPod) and smartphones (iPhone) for long periods of time before the Cupertino, California-based company has finally launched their answer to the crowd’s demands.

Each time, the crowds have almost felt like the French Revolutionaries who were told by Antoinette to “eat cake.” At times, Jobs seemed totally unresponsive to their demands.

Yet, when he stands before large crowds to make major announcements, he seems to totally change the game.

Mac’s laptop, the iBook/MacBook, changed the game with the addition of things like FireWire, free applications, and unbelievably beautiful displays (not to mention – once they moved into the white iBook/MacBook realm – some very respectable battery life).

iPods changed the game with the introduction of Apple’s iTunes and iTunes store. The interface and control pad changed the game as well, because it made sense to any user (even a Windows user) that was quickly understood.

iPhones changed the smartphone game with its Operating System, clear screens, and application store. In addition, the user interface totally and radically changed the game by eliminating the keyboard and mouse once and for all. It moved the wonder of a Palm-like interface with its Grafitti-based on screen writing into the beauty of (almost) real computing, not to mention all of the telephony-based tools that were added (GPS-based tools, maps, etc).

Apple has been encouraged, and even rumored, to introduce a tablet-based and/or netbook-based computer platform for almost a decade. If you research all the Apple rumors, you will see some very interesting designs that would have been great… until today.

Their new iPad is a designer’s dream… even if they’ve never designed a computer before. The screen (interestingly enough, the same size as the original Mac black and white screen) is 9.7 inch backlit LCD screen that is both aesthetically beautiful and applicationally (if I can make up that word) beautiful as well.

The interface is iPhone like in that you don’t have to have a keyboard, and you’ll never need a mouse. But, the computer is MacBook like, in that it will allow a user to write, run spreadsheets, and other tools, with the implementation of Apple’s iWork software suite. It beats a netbook because of the ability to do so much (eb00k reader, word processing, presentations, and “140,000 apps” that are already available on the iPhone app store) than a netbook can do.

They is patient. Apple waited until they could make a tool of which they would be proud.

Apple is creative. They found new ways to solve old problems. And, they also created new problems they could solve.

Apple is expert at marketing. They built on the success of the iPod/iPhone to open a new market niche that never existed before. They didn’t build a new netbook… or a new Kindle… or a new tablet computer… none of these tools are replaced by the iPad… but all of the tasks for which each of those tools were created can be accomplished with the iPad… and more! They took the success of their previous gear, and the success of other tools (Kindle, netbooks, etc) and built upon them all.

Apple creates opportunity for developers and users’ imagination. Already, pilots and movie makers and scientists and teachers are coming up with imaginative ways to use the new iPad. (even elder-friendly computing!)

Then, to top that off… Apple has learned a new skill… its actually a honing of their skill of pricing. Previously, Apple would tout its upscale pricing. And, yes, this computer appliance is more costly than a netbook, but not by much.

Prices start at $499 for the wifi based 16GB and increase to $829 for the wifi/AT&T 3G 32 GB unit.

WiFi units roll out in March, while the AT&T version rolls out in 90 days.

To find out more: Check out Apple’s iPad site

(Gadsden, AL - January 2, 2010) GadsdenMetro publisher Phillip Swindall announces a new regular series of articles for the weekend. "Cool Tools" from BrotherPhil is a new regular article Swindall writes for his blog. It will feature "Open Source" (meaning free) software that will compare with high-dollar software people like to use.

The software might be programs you download and install on your computer, or it could be "SaaS" (Software as a Service), or "Cloud Computing" - that is applications that reside on an internet server somewhere that provides the ability of doing your computing from any computer at any time. Google Apps would be an example of SaaS.

So, if you're interested in a cheaper version of Microsoft Office, or Photoshop, or Adobe Illustrator, or even drafting (CAD) programs, send a request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Later today, our new weekly article series, "Cool Tools from BrotherPhil" will feature a review of several Open Source replacements for a program he uses regularly - Adobe Photoshop. Stay tuned.

(Gadsden, AL - December 11, 2009) For months, GadsdenMetro.com has been using owner Phillip Swindall's Twitter feed, waiting for Twitter customer service to make available a twitter feed being unused with our name on it.

Finally, the "squatter" - someone who grabs a domain, or an account, that could be potentially valuable and profitable to them in the future - was removed, and now, GadsdenMetro.com has their own Twitter feed. Please subscribe to the GadsdenMetro.com Twitter feed for the latest updates to the website. You can find our new tweets here.

(Birmingham, AL - December 1, 2009) The Alabama Department of Transportation announces continuing blasting along Interstate 20 in St. Clair County tonight.

Weather permitting, the blasting will occur between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. tonight, as part of ALDOT's Progress 20 project to widen I-20 between Birmingham and Anniston.

State troopers will provide "rolling roadblocks" designed to slow traffic for about 20 minutes at a time while the blast is detonated and cleaned up. Troopers will slow traffic in both directions along I-20 between the Brompton Exit at mile marker 147 and the Cook Springs Exit at mile marker 152.

Troopers stress that a reduced speed is posted at construction work zones in the state of Alabama. A reduced speed limit of 45 miles per hour is in effect in that five-mile stretch of interstate. Motorists should expect slower traffic and minor delays, and would be advised to find alternate routes of travel if passing through this area tonight, if at all possible.

Scheduled completion of the Progress 20 project is October 1, 2012.